Myanmar

Myanmar Travel Guide

Myanmar, still known as Burma to many, is fondly
referred to as 'the Golden Land' because of the abundant use of
gold leaf on its temples and shrines. It is a country with a rich
diversity of cultures, religions and languages - home to more than
100 ethnic groups - and a history spanning over three millennia,
reflected in some of Southeast Asia's most opulently adorned
temples. The majestic gold-plated Schwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the
temple ruins of Bagan, and the mystical Mandalay are just some of
the unique drawcards that bring visitors to Myanmar's well-guarded
borders.

Myanmar is situated along the eastern coast of the
Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, and its northern borders stretch
all the way up to the Eastern Himalayan mountain range. It borders
India to the west, China to the north, and Thailand and Laos to the
east. One third of Myanmar's perimeter is uninterrupted and largely
undeveloped coastline.

This scenic country has a rocky political past. It
was a British Colony from 1885 until 1948, and since independence
has largely been ruled by a military dictatorship. However, Myanmar
has taken long strides towards democracy in the last few years.
Certainly, this once secretive and isolated country has
enthusiastically flung open its borders to travellers, and although
ethnic conflict is still a problem, foreigners are seldom the
target of this violence. In fact, Myanmar has one of the lowest
tourist crime rates in the world, so travellers can relax in the
knowledge that their trip should be trouble-free.

Myanmar has only recently emerged as an international
travel destination due to its internal politics, but the lovely
beaches, incredible historical attractions, snow-capped mountains,
and jungle wilderness have already attracted lots of attention.
Myanmar is one of the most authentic and unspoiled countries in
Asia, an irresistible destination for travellers wanting to
experience the ancient traditions of the continent.